Want to know where you can go to look at Christmas lights in South Austin? Since Austin’s Trail of Lights Festival will not be occurring for the 2010 holiday season because of City of Austin budget cuts, people are wondering where they can take their families now to enjoy Christmas lights.

The Zilker tree is still around for everyone to enjoy. The tree consists of over 3000 multicolored bulbs and stands around 155 feet tall and is adorned with a 10 foot double star with 150 frosted bulbs. When driving down Mopac (Loop 1) after dark, you can see this colorful tree display. The Zilker tree is open to the public from 6pm and is free to visit in Zilker Park at 2100 Barton Springs Road.

The entrance to Circle C Ranch at Slaughter Lane and Escarpment is always nicely decorated for Christmas. This is a nice area to drive around with the family and see all of the holiday lights.

Shady Hollow has an annual Christmas lights contest. The homes will be judged from Dec.13-17 and a map of the winners can be picked up from the mailbox at the Shady Hollow Community Center (on Doe Run) after the 17th.

Flaming Oak Cove and Woodcreek Road. This is an annual ‘must see’ I have taken my family to for the past 10+ years. Located near the public library on Convict Hill is the entrance to this cul-de-sac display of lights. My favorite is the home with the trains running around the front yard.

For around 20 years, neighbors on 37th Street at Guadalupe have done some eclectic light displays to help ‘Keep Austin Weird’ during the Holiday Season.

Although we will not have the ‘Trail of Lights’ this year, there are still plenty of places to take the family and enjoy festive lights!